FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     May 29, 2007

MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSING EMPLOYEE INVESTIGATED

            An employee of the City’s Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Permits Division who was  arrested by Honolulu police yesterday (Monday, May 28, 2007) for investigation of bribery had  earlier been placed on administrative leave because of an investigation into vehicle registration irregularities.  

            The employee has worked for the City for more than 15 years.

            Customer Services Department Director Jeff Coelho said he learned on April 24 of possible improprieties in certain vehicle registration transactions. Coelho immediately began an internal administrative investigation.

             The employee was placed on administrative leave on April 26 and remains on that status. The results of the investigation were turned over to the Honolulu Police Department.

            “Of course, the employee is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” said Coelho. “Unfortunately, these allegations tend to injure the reputation of the other, hard-working employees within that division. When this matter came to our attention, we took immediate action.”

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Media contact:

Jeff Coelho, 523-4384

Mark Matsunaga, 527-5767